Château Marchand Bellevue: red wines for pleasure in the Entre-deux-Mers region

Representing the third generation to care for the estate, Alain Dufourg has committed to producing high-quality wines while respecting the environment.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

How did Alain Dufourg come to run the estate?

Quality and Environmental Respect

I was born into it,

says Alain Dufourg. With a diploma in agricultural management and accounting, this wine enthusiast, son, and grandson of winemakers, decided to establish himself in 1989 by purchasing an estate in Targon. He created the property from scratch and gained experience along the way. In 2010, he set aside this estate in favor of the family business, Château Haut-Marchand, which he renamed Château Marchand Bellevue, a name suggested by his friends who admired the beautiful view of the estate's vineyards. With his expertise and the historic family know-how, Alain Dufourg takes care of the vineyard and its 33 hectares of vines. A unique feature of the estate is that it exclusively produces red grape varieties: Merlot (60%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), and Petit Verdot (10%).

I don’t produce white wines out of personal conviction. Not being a great lover of white wine, I prefer to create quality red wine cuvées and occasionally a bit of rosé,

Alain explains. Indeed, 90% of the production is sold under AOC Bordeaux Rouge, and 10% under AOC Bordeaux Rosé.

Who works alongside him on the estate?

A family story

His partner Sylvie soon joined him on the estate to support the commercial development. Together, they are breathing new life into his grandfather's land. As a side note, his grandfather was one of the founders of the Romagne cooperative winery near Targon in 1936.

How does the estate approach the environment?

Sustainable practices and certification

Respectful of the environment, the vineyard is managed under sustainable agriculture and has achieved Level 2 High Environmental Value certification. Thanks to their efforts to limit inputs while caring for their vines, the vineyard could achieve Level 3 certification as early as next year.

What style of wines does the estate produce?

Enjoyable, Smooth, and Fruity Wines

Their motto? To create quality wines that respect the environment and consumer tastes. Alain is dedicated to crafting enjoyable, smooth, fruity, and easy-to-drink wines. This is particularly true of their Château Marchand Bellevue 2013 cuvée, which impresses with its deep ruby color and ripe red fruit aromas. This structured yet smooth cuvée pairs perfectly with a charcuterie board or grilled meats. Similarly, Château Marchand Bellevue 2015, an excellent vintage, offers a structured, rounded, and fruity palate that can be enjoyed now or aged for up to three years. This cuvée will beautifully complement a fine piece of beef or a grilled pork fillet.

What are the estate's signature and upcoming cuvées?

The Dolmen cuvée and a new project

The Dolmen cuvée, named after the Dolmen present on the property, is a 100% Merlot wine, complex and structured, with a slight, well-integrated oakiness achieved through 20 months of aging in new barrels. Produced from precise plot selection, this cuvée pairs wonderfully with exotic cuisine such as caramelized chicken with ginger and basil. Between these two cuvées, Alain Dufourg is actively working on a new project: a red wine made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 12 to 15 months in oak barrels. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you pass through Targon, you now know where to stop!

Discover the wines of Château Marchand Bellevue directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Château Marchand Bellevue

Where is Château Marchand Bellevue located?

The estate lies in Targon, in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers, within the Bordeaux vineyards. Alain Dufourg is the third generation to run it and tends 33 hectares of vines.

Which grape varieties grow at Château Marchand Bellevue?

The planting is entirely red, led by Merlot and rounded out with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a little Petit Verdot. Alain Dufourg chose to devote his plots to reds rather than white wine.

Under which appellations are the estate's wines produced?

Almost all of the harvest is bottled as AOC Bordeaux Rouge, with a small share as AOC Bordeaux Rosé. The estate makes no white wine, a deliberate decision by the winemaker.

What style of wine does Alain Dufourg make?

He aims for approachable reds that are supple, fruity and easy to open any day. The Dolmen cuvée, a 100% Merlot aged twenty months in new barrels, shows a more structured, oak-touched register.

Is the vineyard committed to sustainability?

Yes. Managed under sustainable agriculture, it holds Level 2 High Environmental Value certification and is working toward Level 3 by limiting inputs while caring for its vines.